National Toilet Paper Day
About National Toilet Paper Day
When is National Toilet Paper Day? This holiday is always celebrated on August 26
We believe there’s no other holiday quite like this one. Many people don’t like to talk about TP. We just want to appreciate its vital importance, while otherwise taking it for granted. As the Charmin ad says, “Enjoy the Go!” On National Toilet Paper Day, we certainly want you to have a happy experience. Then, perhaps you’ll feel more comfortable sharing the pleasant experience with others. We hope you thoroughly enjoy the go on this August 26 holiday.
Let’s not take toilet paper for granted. It may not always be there when you need it. For many of us, it is needed multiple times a day. Toilet paper is indeed an essential item. It is not available in many parts of the world. If you’ve ever entered a stall without first checking to see if the dispenser is empty, you will agree that it is truly essential. So, as you roll off a hefty wad of toilet paper while you sit on the throne, take a minute to reflect and appreciate that it is there.
We believe there’s no other holiday quite like it.
Toilet Paper Has a Long and Soiled History
Over thousands of years of history, there were many ways to clean up after the “go”. In the early days, people just used their hands for clean up. Over time, the left hand became designated for this task. Then, they simply washed their hands in a nearby creek or just wiped them off. In many cultures, people would not use their left hand for eating or many other tasks. Over time, a wide variety of items came to be used for the clean-up job, including rocks, leaves, corn cobs, and more. Squatting over a creek was common, with waste being washed downstream by the current. Perhaps one of the most bizarre methods of wiping one’s derriere clean came into use around 79 A.D. A wet sponge on a stick was used. After use, they rinsed the sponge off and left it for the next person!
Fortunately for me and you, progress and invention brought about much more sanitary and disposable toilet paper. Toilet paper was invented in China in 580. It came in sheets. It was coarse and expensive. Most of the population couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t until the 1400s that it began to be manufactured in China. Most of the world had to wait until the 1800s, for toilet paper to come into popular use. In 1857, toilet paper sheets were commercially sold for the first time in the U.S. On December 22, 1871, Seth Wheeler from Albany, NY received patent #465,588 for the toilet paper roll. With toilet paper now on a roll, using “the head” and “powdering your nose” became far more convenient and sanitary. We only had to wait another century or so for indoor plumbing, but that’s a subject for another day.
The Great Over/Under Debate
For many decades a debate raged over whether the roll of toilet paper should unfold over the top of the roll, or under it. To this day, many people still (mostly) humorously argue their case for over or under. It’s a proven fact that toilet paper unrolled over the roll is more sanitary. Those in favor of under the roll, argue those who do so are more intelligent. There are many other arguments for each direction.
Seth Wheeler’s 1871 patent for the toilet paper roll clearly shows diagrams of toilet paper coming off the top of the roll. But, wait! There are other pictures of Wheeler’s invention where the toilet paper unrolls under.
So, which way is the winner of this debate? We will let you…. make the call.
Did You Know? After using a roll of toilet paper, most people throw the cardboard core away into the trash. But, the cardboard roll is recyclable. Placing it in the paper recycling bin, or composting it saves space in the landfill.
Toilet Paper Trivia
- Toilet paper originated in China in 580.
- A roll of toilet paper contains 200 -1,000 sheets of paper, depending upon manufacturer and number of plys.
- Before 1935, toilet paper sometimes had splinters in it.
- The first commercially available toilet paper consisted of hemp.
- In the 1950s, colored toilet paper hit the market in shades of pink, green, blue, and more. It fell out of fashion in the 1980s.
- At the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in the U.S., there was a run of merchandise at stores. Among the first items to sell out was (you guessed it) toilet paper.
- 7% of Americans admit to stealing toilet paper from hotels.
- Shy Mr. Whipple appeared in over 500 Charmin commercials.
- The average person in the U.S. uses 57 sheets per day. That amounts to over 100 rolls per year.
- About 75% of the world’s population still does not use toilet paper.
- The folks in Great Britain call it “loo paper”.
- It takes about 30,000 trees per day to meet worldwide production demand.
- The organization Charm Weddings holds an annual Toilet Paper Dress Contest.
TP Chuckle: What happens when you run out of toilet paper? …Depends
How to Participate in National Toilet Paper Day
Here are some ideas on how to participate in National Toilet Paper Day:
- Thoroughly enjoy using TP today.
- If you’re not getting a comfortable, cleaning wipe, try another brand.
- Mimic the Charmin ad and ask others if they “Enjoy the Go”. Then, watch for their reactions. It’s sometimes hilarious.
- If you are bored, calculate the average number of sheets you use each time you visit the bathroom.
- Use it for small cleanup jobs.
- Use it to kill bugs. You only need one or two squares.
Today's Chuckle
“Today you can go to a gas station and find the cash register open and the toilets locked. They must think toilet paper is worth more than money.” – – Joey Bishop
History and Origin of National Toilet Paper Day
While there is a rich history about toilet paper, we have not yet identified the creator of this special day or why he or she created it. Despite our deep search, it’s as if any information on the creator was thoroughly wiped clean off the internet. And other sources.
The date was selected as toilet paper was first sold in the U.S. on August 26, 1871.
This holiday dates back to at least 2013.
We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. There are no congressional resolutions or presidential proclamations.
Definition of “National” Days – Discover why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
This Day in History
Besides National Toilet Paper Day, here are some things that happened on this August 26 holiday:
- English astronomer Edmond Halley first observes a comet. It is later named after him. (1682)
- Toilet paper is first sold in the U.S. Did you ever wonder what they did before its invention? (1871)
- Melissa McCarthy, American actress, writer, and producer, was born on this day in 1970.
More August 26 Holidays
Additionally, here are more August 26 holidays we are certain you will enjoy:
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous August Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards – Send a free Ecard daily for National Toilet Paper Day or just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Undoubtedly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Flower of the Day: Daffodils
Recipe of the Day: Garden Stuffed Baked Potato
Holiday Insights, where every day in August is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Furthermore, in addition to National Toilet Paper Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. August holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.